:Kid Ink
{{Short description|American rapper (born 1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Kid Ink
| image = Kid Ink in Prague 2014.png
| caption = Collins in 2014
| alias = Rockstar
| birth_name = Brian Todd Collins
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|4|1}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}
| discography = Kid Ink discography
| years_active = 2005–present
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|pop rap}}
| label = {{hlist|Tha Alumni|88 Classic|RCA{{cite news|last=Markma|first=Rob|title=Kid Ink Inks Deal With RCA Records|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699688/kid-ink-record-deal-rca-records.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216120843/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699688/kid-ink-record-deal-rca-records.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2013|newspaper=MTV|date=January 4, 2013}}}}
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 3}}
| website = {{URL|kidinkmusic.com}}
{{Infobox
| child=yes
| header = Logo
| headerstyle = background:#b0c4de
| data1 = }}
}}
Brian Todd Collins (born April 1, 1986),{{cite web|last=Kellman |first=Andy |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kid-ink-mn0002603333/biography |title=Kid Ink | Biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=March 20, 2014}} known professionally as Kid Ink, is an American rapper and singer from Los Angeles, California.{{cite web|title=Kid Ink - MTV UK |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kid-ink |access-date=May 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531102435/http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kid-ink |archive-date=May 31, 2012 }}{{cite news|last=Gustafson|first=Kyle|title=Kid Ink at Howard Theatre|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/kid-ink-at-howard-theatre/2012/05/07/gIQAF2Jo8T_story.html|access-date=May 8, 2012|newspaper=Washington Post|date=May 7, 2012}} His debut studio album, Up & Away (2012), was released independently and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. He then signed with RCA Records to release his debut extended play (EP) Almost Home (2013), followed by his second album and major label debut, My Own Lane, the following year. The latter peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was led by the single "Show Me" (featuring Chris Brown), which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album spawned two additional singles: "Iz U Down" (featuring Tyga) and "Main Chick" (featuring Chris Brown). His third album, Full Speed (2015), peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the singles "Body Language" (featuring Usher and Tinashe) and "Be Real" (featuring Dej Loaf), both of which received platinum certifications by the RIAA.
Collins' sixth mixtape, Summer in the Winter (2015), was preceded by the double platinum-certified single "Promise" (featuring Fetty Wap). His second EP, 7 Series (2017), narrowly entered the Billboard 200 and was preceded by the single "F with U" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign). His third EP, Missed Calls (2019) was supported by the single "YUSO" (featuring Lil Wayne and Saweetie) and failed to chart, serving as his final release with RCA. His fourth album, Alive (2021), served as his first independent project in nearly a decade.
Career
= 2005–2012: Career beginnings, Tha Alumni Music Group, and ''Up & Away'' =
During his teenage years, Collins attended after-school music programs, where he produced hip-hop beats and tracks. He cites Pharrell Williams and Swizz Beatz as part of his inspiration for its work ethic with the production and songwriting, when he said: "These were artists and producers who were writing for other people in all types of genres. It just gave me an open ear for all different types of music and that's how I approached it". He landed his first genuine production credit for a Nipsey Hussle single in 2008.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8070671/kid-ink-clockenflap-festival-interview|title=Kid Ink interview, "In the middle of it all"|magazine=Billboard|date=2017}} At 22, Collins began rapping full-time, soon after{{cite news|author=Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY 7 a.m. EST February 23, 2014 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/02/23/on-the-verge-kid-ink-show-me/5467599/ |title=On the Verge: Kid Ink embraces radio-friendly rap |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=February 23, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2014}} adopting the temporary stage name Rockstar. On February 1, 2010, Collins released his first official mixtape, titled World Tour. The mixtape gained popularity that grabbed some of the attention towards a radio disc jockey, DJ Ill Will, the founder of HotNewHipHop. He later signed to his record label, Tha Alumni Group, and its joint label, 88 Classic. Collins also changed his stage name to Kid Ink, in respect for a label-mate, DJ Rockstar.Kid Ink interview
In 2011, Collins released his second mixtape, called Crash Landing. The mixtape features guest appearances from Roscoe Dash, Ty Dolla Sign, and Meek Mill, among others. During the summer of 2011, Collins released his third mixtape, called Daydreamer that made available for digital download. The mixtape features guest appearances from Cory Gunz, Maejor Ali, Ray J, Sean Kingston, and Bow Wow, among others. In September 2011, Collins released his fourth mixtape, called Wheels Up. The mixtape features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, and Tyga, among others.{{cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/02/13/introducing-kid-ink-rising-l-a-artist-talks-transition-from-producing-quick-notoriety/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117202514/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/02/13/introducing-kid-ink-rising-l-a-artist-talks-transition-from-producing-quick-notoriety/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |title=Introducing Kid Ink: Rising L.A. Artist Talks Transition From Producing & Quick Notoriety |publisher=BallerStatus.com |date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=May 8, 2012 }}
In February 2012, Collins was revealed to be a part of the XXL
=2013–2014: Signing with RCA, ''Almost Home'', and ''My Own Lane''=
{{see also|Almost Home (Kid Ink EP)|My Own Lane}}
On January 4, 2013, he announced that he had signed a deal with RCA Records and premiered his first major label single, titled "Bad Ass" (featuring Meek Mill and Wale), produced by Devin Cruise.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22428/title.kid-ink-signs-to-rca-records|title=Kid Ink Signs To RCA Records |website=HipHopDX |access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170318/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22428/title.kid-ink-signs-to-rca-records|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}} The song would be released for digital download on January 22, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bad-ass-feat-meek-mill-wale-single/592907153 |title=iTunes - Music - Bad Ass (feat. Meek Mill & Wale) - Single by Kid Ink |publisher=iTunes|date=January 22, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013}} The song was released to Rhythm Crossover radio in the United States on February 26, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=16691 |title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |publisher=FMQB |access-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411072813/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |archive-date=April 11, 2016 }} It has since peaked at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. He released an EP titled Almost Home on May 28, 2013. It featured other artists including French Montana, Wale, Meek Mill, ASAP Ferg, and Rico Love.{{cite web |last=Paine |first=Jake |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23942/title.kid-ink-almost-home-ep-release-date-cover-art |title=Kid Ink "Almost Home EP" Release Date & Cover Art |website=HipHopDX |date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607230404/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23942/title.kid-ink-almost-home-ep-release-date-cover-art |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Upon its release, the EP debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200. It also produced the single "Money and the Power" which was featured in HBO's Hard Knocks and in the sports video game NBA Live 14 as well as being one of the official theme songs of WrestleMania 31. On September 17, 2013, he released the first single from his second studio album My Own Lane, entitled "Show Me" (featuring Chris Brown), produced by DJ Mustard.{{cite web |author=Nigel D. |url=http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2013/09/topic/topic/music/kid-ink-ft-chris-brown-show-me-prod-by-dj-mustard/ |title=Kid Ink ft. Chris Brown - Show Me (Prod. By DJ Mustard) » RealTalkNY Brought To You By Nigel D |website=Realtalkny.uproxx.com |date=January 11, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715200938/http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2013/09/topic/topic/music/kid-ink-ft-chris-brown-show-me-prod-by-dj-mustard/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-ink-show-me-song.1571246.html |title=Kid Ink - Show Me Feat. Chris Brown (Prod. By DJ Mustard) [Radio Rip] | Stream & Listen [New Song] |publisher=Hotnewhiphop.com |date=September 4, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2014}} He released My Own Lane on January 7, 2014. On January 13, 2014, at Collins' album release party, he was awarded his first Gold plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his single "Show Me".{{cite web|url=http://deucetv.net/2014/01/14/dj-enuff-presents-kid-ink-w-gold-plaque-webster-hall-in-nyc/ |title=DJ Enuff Presents Kid Ink w/ Gold Plaque @ Webster Hall In NYC!! | |publisher=Deucetv.net |date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BSrXjjVoss |title=DJ Enuff Presents Kid Ink w/ Gold Plaque at Webster Hall in NYC |publisher=YouTube |date=January 13, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2014}}File:KidInkMarch2012.jpg
=2015–2016: ''Full Speed'' and ''Summer in the Winter''=
{{see also|Full Speed (album)}}
On September 9, 2014, "Body Language", which features Usher and Tinashe, was released as the first single from his third studio album, Full Speed. The album was released on February 3, 2015, and has since peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.{{cite web|url = http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-ink-announces-new-single-body-language-news.11898.html|title = Kid Ink Announces New Single "Vegas Strip"|website = HNHH|date = September 2, 2014}} On December 25, 2015, Collins released a commercial mixtape, Summer in the Winter, with songs featuring Fetty Wap, Akon, Omarion, Starrah, and Bïa Krieger.
=2016–present: ''RSS2'' and ''7 Series''=
On September 19, 2016, Collins released the mixtape RSS2 on SoundCloud. Collins wanted to get back into his old mixtape sound. RSS2 features underground artists including his younger brother, Juliann Alexander. RSS2 spawned the "One Day" single from the project, with a music video. RSS2 was released on Spotify and every other streaming service on March 30, 2017. On April 7, Collins released the single "F with U" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign), with DJ Mustard producing. His second EP 7 Series was released May 5, 2017.
Personal life
Collins has over 100 tattoos on his face, back, arms, hands, and torso.{{Cite news|url=https://www.axs.com/five-things-you-didn-t-know-about-kid-ink-48206|title=Five things you didn't know about Kid Ink |work=AXS |access-date=March 5, 2019|language=en-US}} He got his first tattoo when he was 16 and has been "addicted" to getting tattoos since. His favorites include portraits of his mother and grandfather on his chest and a tiger on the front of his neck, which represents his Chinese birth sign. He showed off his tattoos for one of PETA's "Ink Not Mink" anti-fur ads in 2013.Latifa Muhamed,"Kid Ink Joins PETA's "Ink Not Mink" Campaign," [http://hiphopwired.com/2013/03/12/kid-ink-joins-petas-ink-not-mink-campaign-videophotos/ HipHopWired.com], March 12, 2013.
Collins has been in a relationship with model Asiah Azante for over a decade. The couple became engaged in June 2015 and married in November 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/07/01/kid-ink-gets-engaged-to-longtime-girlfriend-asiah-azante/ |title=Kid Ink Gets Engaged To Longtime Girlfriend Asiah Azante |publisher=BallerStatus.com |date=July 1, 2015}} They have three daughters, born in 2016, 2020 and 2024 respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-ink-and-fiance-asiah-azante-welcome-first-child-together-news.20110.html|title=Kid Ink & Fiance Asiah Azante Welcome First Child Together|website=HotNewHipHop|date=February 11, 2016}}
Discography
{{Main|Kid Ink discography}}
- Up & Away (2012)
- My Own Lane (2014)
- Full Speed (2015)
- Alive (2021)
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Awards !scope="col"| Category !scope="col"| Nominated work !scope="col"| Result |
|---|
| scope="row"| 2014
| MTV Europe Music Awards{{cite web|title=MTV Europe Music Awards 2014 - All this year's nominees and winners|website=Digital Spy|date=November 9, 2014|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a608880/mtv-europe-music-awards-2014-all-this-years-nominees-and-winners.html|access-date=April 5, 2015}} | {{n/a|none}} | {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140043/http://kidinkmusic.com/home.html Official website]
- [http://www.hiphoparchief.nl/index.php/1334-albums/kid-ink/4714-kid-ink-7-series-2017 Kid Ink - 7 Series] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143722/http://www.hiphoparchief.nl/ HipHop Archief] (Dutch)
{{Kid Ink}}
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